"I never knew no Godfather. I got my own family, Senator."
Posted on 05/15/2012 1:22:53 PM PDT by kcvl
A key witness in John Edwards' defense waffled today on the stand, changing his testimony about whether Edwards had told him that money obtained from a wealthy donor was for his "benefit" and was used to provide for his mistress and love child.
Wade Smith, a North Carolina trial lawyer who has represented Edwards, initially denied telling the attorney for wealthy backer Rachel "Bunny" Mellon that Edwards acknowledged the receipt or hundreds of thousands of dollars in what became known as "Bunny money."
Fred Forger, Mellon's lawyer, testified last week that he called Smith in an attempt to find out why the elderly philanthropist was writing so many checks. Forger asked Smith if the money was a gift for Edwards and whether Mellon should declare it as such on her taxes.
Smith got back to Forger telling him, "John Edwards has said he acknowledges now that this was for his benefit," Forger testified last week.
This morning, however, Smith denied making that statement. "I would never quote my client," he told the court.
But when the prosecution introduced a December 2008 email between Forger, Smith and another Edwards lawyer, Jim Cooney, indicating they had talked with Edwards about the money, Smith altered his story.
"I certainly would not have wanted to do that," Smith told the court.
When asked a third time if he ever told Forger the "Bunny money" was for Edwards' benefit, Smith again changed his answer, saying: "I have no recollection of saying that. I do not."
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
“Fred Forger” - you can’t even make this stuff up any more.
Testimony will change in direct relation to the amount of funds deposited in hidden accounts!
"Fred Forger" ???
Somebody's pulling my leg...
"Fred Forger" ???
Somebody's pulling my leg...
Colonel Mustard is scheduled to testify tomorrow.
John Edwards’ campaign finance chairman paid mistress
Records introduced Tuesday at John Edwards’ corruption trial show his campaign finance chairman paid the candidate’s mistress a $9,000 monthly cash allowance, on top of other living and travel expenses.
Wealthy Texas lawyer Fred Baron is one of two political supporters who combined gave nearly $1 million to help hide Edwards’ pregnant mistress Rielle Hunter as the politician sought the White House in 2008. Evidence introduced at the trial showed Baron, who died in 2008, was making regular deposits into Hunter’s checking account, the sum totaling $74,000.
Money from the wealthy donors was also used for private jets, stays at luxury resorts and a $20,000-a-month California rental mansion.
Earlier Tuesday, Edwards’ former lawyer Wade Smith testified about conversations he had with Alex D. Forger, an attorney for wealthy heiress Rachel “Bunny” Mellon. Forger had earlier testified for prosecutors, saying he told Smith that Edwards acknowledged some of the “Bunny Money” had been given for his benefit.
Smith said Forger misunderstood the conversation they had.
“I would not ever quote my client to someone else,” Smith testified, saying that would violate attorney-client privileged.
The name of his law firm is Dewey, Cheatham & Howe.
"The person who said those words was not the Wade Smith I know" said Mr. Smith.
Slimebag Central - The Edwards Trial
"I never knew no Godfather. I got my own family, Senator."
I feel the need for an acid bath to remove his filth from my memory.
His very existance is an affront to the delicacy of my nature.
The consummate line of liars, leaving some wiggle room for no charge of perjury.
No memory, no recollection, just gag me.
“It was between the brothers, Kay. I had nothing to do with it.”
Dewey, Cheatham & Howe
Do we cheat them and how?
DO we cheat ‘em — and HOW!
LOL!
I know a land developer with the last name “Swindle”.
Changing your testimony can adversely affect your credibility. I haven't been following the case, but I presume since this guy was a witness for the defense, it would not be good for John Edwards.
And - there ya have it.
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